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Rotimi Amaechi, the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says the party is on course to defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

His predictions

Speaking at the ADC's presidential rally in Bauchi on Saturday, 14 November 2026, Amaechi gave a state-by-state breakdown of the race. He claimed Atiku Abubakar had secured the support of 13 states across the North-East and North-West, and said Tinubu could count on only five of the six South-West states, with the sixth going to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), the party of Oyo governor Seyi Makinde. He named Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa as North Central states Atiku would win easily, said the South-East would offer Tinubu nothing, and said the ADC would campaign hard in the South-South.

Background

Amaechi, a former Rivers governor and transport minister, is Atiku's running mate. Their candidacy faces a legal challenge after a court voided the ADC primary that produced them, a judgment the party has appealed. Tinubu's campaign has received endorsements from several state leaders in recent days. The claims could not be independently verified. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) has raised questions about a photograph showing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with a leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the UK.

What he said

In a post reported on Saturday, 14 November 2026, VDM clarified that the man wearing an APC-branded cap in the photo was not INEC chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, but Tunde Doherty, chairman of the APC's UK chapter. He asked what the APC official was doing with the INEC chairman and whether the UK leaders of other parties, including the NDC, Labour Party, PDP and ADC, had been given the same opportunity to meet him. He went on to claim that INEC was compromised.

Background

Amupitan was in London this week to speak at Chatham House about preparations for the 2027 elections. Protesters confronted him outside the venue, accusing the commission of bias, and he pledged to reject any political appointment after leaving office to show his independence. INEC has also denied reports that he plans to resign. INEC had not responded to VDM's post at the time of writing, and the circumstances of the photo are not clear.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has dismissed a viral message claiming that about 100 fake professors had been uncovered in Nigerian universities.

What the NUC said

In a post on Saturday, 14 November 2026, the commission said the message, titled 'About 100 Fake Professors Uncovered In Nigeria Universities', combined a link to a 2019 news report with a list that had been fabricated recently. It said a careful reading showed the two had been stitched together to give a false impression, and described the message as deliberate misinformation meant to damage the reputation of the university system and Nigerian academics.

The commission's position

The NUC said its current leadership, under Executive Secretary Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, who took office in December 2024, had worked to strengthen integrity and transparency in the university system.

Christian Cousins, the former child actor best known for the 1990 comedy 'Kindergarten Cop', has died.

What happened

Police in Irvine, California, said officers went to his home on 20 October after his family requested a welfare check because they could not reach him, and found him dead inside. They said there were no suspicious circumstances. The county coroner took custody of his remains, and no official cause of death has been released. News of his death spread this week after his half-brother, Jonas Roeser, posted a tribute on Instagram, saying Cousins had been seriously ill with liver disease.

His career

Cousins and his twin brother, Joseph, shared the role of Dominic Palmieri in 'Kindergarten Cop', starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This is Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu with a friend during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days in Sokoto, around 1985.

Two young men and their dreams

Look at the photograph and you see two young men enjoying their youth, probably talking about life, their dreams and what the future might hold.

At the time, Elumelu was just another young Nigerian graduate trying to find his feet. He had ambitions, like many young people, but there was no guarantee of where life would take him.

The job he was not 'qualified' for

Years later, after earning his master's degree, he came across a job advertisement from Allstates Trust Bank. The bank wanted applicants with at least a Second Class Upper degree, popularly known as a 2:1.

Elumelu had graduated with a 2:2.

For many people, that would have been reason enough to forget the job and move on. The bank had clearly stated its requirements, and he did not meet them.

But he decided to try anyway. He applied, explaining that although his result fell below the requirement, he was intelligent, hardworking and ambitious, and ready to prove himself if given the chance.

He got the job.

The turning point

That single decision became an important turning point in his career. He worked his way up through banking, took on bigger and bigger responsibilities, and eventually became one of the most influential businessmen and investors in Africa.

Today, he is a billionaire and respected entrepreneur whose investments have created opportunities for thousands of people across the continent.

The lesson

Look at that old NYSC photograph again. The young man in Sokoto could hardly have imagined what was waiting for him.

Your result may not be the best. You may have started life without connections, money or anyone powerful to open doors for you. But life has a way of surprising people who refuse to give up on themselves.

Imagine if Elumelu had seen the 2:1 requirement and simply walked away. That opportunity might have passed him by.

Sometimes the biggest mistake you can make is rejecting yourself before anyone else has had the chance to consider you. Apply for that job. Pursue that opportunity. You may not always succeed, but you will never know what could have happened if you never tried.

Over to you

How many opportunities have people missed simply because they believed they were not qualified enough?

Zainab Musa Kwankwaso, daughter of former Kano governor and senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has reportedly filed for divorce from her husband, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, after 20 years of marriage.

The court case

The case was filed at the Upper Area Court in Gudu, Abuja. A civil summons directs Governor Yusuf to appear in court on Tuesday, 17 November 2026.

Zainab is reported to be seeking khul'i, a process under Islamic law that allows a wife to end her marriage, and has offered to refund the dowry Yusuf paid when they married.

The summons is not a divorce order, and the court has yet to rule on the matter.

Her reasons

According to the filing, Zainab cited a long absence of mutual care, love and emotional connection in the marriage, and said reconciliation efforts had failed.

The couple married on 29 July 2006, when Zainab was working as an aide to her father, who was then governor of Kano State. They have six children.

The political backdrop

The marriage once symbolised the close bond between Kwankwaso and Yusuf, his long-time political protégé. That relationship has since broken down.

In January 2026, Governor Yusuf left Kwankwaso's party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move Kwankwaso's camp described as a betrayal.

Some reports have linked the political split to tension in the marriage, but the reasons given in the court filing focus on the breakdown of the relationship itself.

No comment yet

As of Saturday, neither Governor Yusuf, Zainab nor Senator Kwankwaso had made a public statement on the divorce, and the Kano State Government had not commented.

Over to you

Did politics cost this 20-year marriage, or is this simply a private family matter that should be left to the court?

Former Barcelona, PSG and AC Milan star Ronaldinho is set to return to competitive football at the age of 46.

The comeback

Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini confirmed on Friday, 13 November 2026, that the Brazilian will start for the Italian Serie C club in a local derby against Forli on Sunday, 15 November, as one of three forwards. Mandorlini described him as one of the greatest players of the modern era, adding that the coaching staff would decide together how long he plays.

A long wait

Ronaldinho joined Ravenna as an investor in August. His last competitive appearance was for Brazilian club Fluminense in September 2015, making Sunday's match his first in more than ten years.

Background

Ronaldinho won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 and the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, and is remembered as one of the most gifted and entertaining players of his generation.

Portugal's football federation has honoured Cristiano Ronaldo by permanently changing the design of the number 7 on the national team shirt.

The tribute

The Portuguese Football Federation announced on X that the style of number 7 worn by Ronaldo will not be used by any other player, and a new version will appear on future shirts. According to reports on Saturday, 14 November 2026, every Portugal player will wear a number 7 shirt during the walk-out before their Nations League match against Denmark as a collective farewell.

How it ended

Ronaldo's international career reportedly came to an end after a public disagreement with Jorge Jesus over a substitution during a match in September.

Background

Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time record goalscorer and most-capped player and led the country to the Euro 2016 title. The gesture mirrors the honour Argentina gave Lionel Messi after his international retirement.

Oriyomi Hamzat, the Accord Party's governorship candidate in Oyo State, has declared support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027.

What he said

Speaking to journalists on Saturday, 14 November 2026, on the sidelines of the University of Ibadan's convocation, where he received a master's degree in peace and conflict resolution, the Ibadan-based broadcaster said he would not act against the President, citing loyalty. His comments came as voters in the South-West weigh three prominent southern presidential candidates: Tinubu, Oyo governor Seyi Makinde of the APM and Peter Obi of the NDC.

Background

Hamzat is a popular radio presenter in Ibadan. He is running to succeed Makinde, who is in his second and final term and is now challenging Tinubu for the presidency. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has sealed a pharmaceutical company following the earlier recovery of about 3.18 million capsules suspected to be pregabalin.

A ₦900 million haul

The task force estimates the value of the seized stock at more than ₦900 million. Photos of the seizure show cartons packed with boxes and blister packs of red-and-white capsules.

Pregabalin is a prescription medicine used to treat nerve pain and some other conditions. It is widely misused in parts of northern Nigeria, where it is taken in large doses for its sedating effects, and is a growing concern for health and security authorities.

Questions for the regulators

The task force has also raised allegations of possible regulatory failures that may have allowed such a large quantity of the drug to circulate.

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had not responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.

What is confirmed

The sealing of the company is confirmed. The allegations against the company and against regulatory officials remain under investigation and should not be treated as established facts.

Over to you

How could controlled medicines reach illegal distribution networks on this scale, and what should regulators do to stop it?

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Tinubu administration of pushing Nigeria's baking industry to the brink.

What he said

In a statement released in Bauchi on Saturday, 14 November 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication for his campaign, Atiku said the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria had lost close to 40 per cent of its members in two years. He was in the state as part of what his campaign calls its 'affordable life' tour.

Rising costs

According to the statement, energy accounts for roughly half of most bakeries' production costs. It said one operator's monthly diesel bill had risen from ₦9 million to ₦19 million, and that switching to alternative power could cost a small bakery ₦40 million to ₦50 million, money most cannot raise. The statement blamed high energy prices and expensive financing for the closures.

Bakers confirm

The Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria itself said at an exhibition in Lagos that about 40 per cent of its members had shut down in the past two years because of rising energy costs, expensive loans and economic conditions. Its president, Emmanuel Onuorah, called on the federal government to provide grants and single-digit interest loans to businesses in the real sector, warning that more closures could threaten jobs.

Background

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has made the cost of living a central theme of his campaign. The government says its reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy, were necessary to stabilise the economy and free up money for infrastructure. The Presidency had not responded to the statement at the time of writing. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The federal government has signed a concession agreement for the Port Harcourt International Airport with a private operator.

The deal

The agreement with PH Airport Limited was signed at the office of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, according to reports on Saturday, 14 November 2026. The concessionaire was represented by its group managing director, Eyo Asuquo. The heads of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, ministry officials and aviation union leaders attended the signing. The company reportedly plans to recruit more workers.

Unions back the deal

Ben Nnabue, president of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, said organised labour supported the agreement after receiving assurances that no aviation worker would lose their job because of the concession, adding that protecting jobs remained the unions' top priority.

Background

The government has been seeking private investors to run and upgrade major airports.

Nollywood actress Hilda Dokubo has criticised Minister of Works Dave Umahi over his campaigning for President Bola Tinubu.

What she said

In a video posted on Instagram on Saturday, 14 November 2026, the actress is seen watching Umahi speak at an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign event in Ebonyi State. She then addresses the minister directly, arguing that campaigns should focus on what officials have actually delivered for people rather than repeated appeals for votes.

How people reacted

The video spread widely on X. Many users pushed back, pointing to what they described as a substantial record of road projects under Umahi's ministry.

Background

Dokubo, a veteran actress, has often spoken out on political issues. Umahi, a former Ebonyi governor, is one of the most visible members of the Tinubu government and is campaigning for the President's re-election. He had not responded to the video at the time of writing.

Brian Tracy, the motivational speaker and bestselling author whose books shaped how millions of people approach work and personal goals, has died at the age of 82.

His death

Tracy died on 12 November 2026, according to reports. No official cause of death has been made public. His grandson shared an emotional tribute online.

His work

Tracy built his career in sales, marketing, real estate and consulting before founding Brian Tracy International. His company says he gave more than 5,000 talks and seminars to over five million people and wrote more than 70 books, translated into dozens of languages. His best-known book, 'Eat That Frog!', taught readers to tackle the task they are most likely to put off first. Other popular titles included 'Goals!' and 'No Excuses! The Power of Self-Discipline'.

British rapper Stefflon Don has announced the birth of her second child.

The announcement

In an interview published on Friday, 13 November 2026, the rapper revealed that she gave birth to a baby boy, Don Claes, on 23 April 2026, and shared maternity photos and a picture with her newborn. She said motherhood continues to reshape her as a person.

Reactions

Tiwa Savage congratulated her in the comments, and talent manager Jada P also sent love. Her post drew wide attention on Nigerian social media because of her past relationship with Burna Boy.

Background

Stefflon Don is known for hits such as 'Hurtin' Me'.

It is one of the lesser-known chapters of Africa's liberation story, and a remarkable act of solidarity between two African nations.

A leader in danger

Patrice Lumumba, Congo's first Prime Minister after independence from Belgium in 1960, was overthrown within months and placed under house arrest. In January 1961 he was handed over to his enemies and assassinated, one of the most shocking political killings in African history.

As Congo descended into chaos, Lumumba's family was in grave danger, and his wife Pauline and their children had nowhere safe to turn.

Nasser's secret mission

Egypt did not look away. On the direct orders of President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Colonel Saad El-Din El-Shazly, who later became one of Egypt's most celebrated military commanders, took on the task of getting Lumumba's children safely out of the country.

El-Shazly knew Congo well. He had commanded the Egyptian battalion sent there in 1960 as part of the international force during the independence crisis, at a time when Egypt firmly backed Lumumba.

The operation was carried out in complete secrecy. Lumumba's children, including his eldest son François, were smuggled out of Congo and flown to Cairo, where they arrived safely while their father was still under arrest.

A new home in Cairo

After Lumumba's death, Pauline joined the children in Egypt. Nasser offered the family protection and support, and the Egyptian government helped with their housing, schooling and other needs.

Lumumba's children grew up in Egypt, which became not just a place of refuge but a home that embraced their father's cause as a symbol of African liberation.

Pauline later spent time in Europe before returning to Congo in the late 1960s, after Lumumba began to be honoured as a national hero. She settled in Kinshasa.

Africa looking out for its own

The story is a reminder that Egypt was not just a witness to Africa's independence struggles, but an active partner in them. When Lumumba's family was in danger, an African nation stepped in to protect them.

Over to you

Did you know this part of Lumumba's story? What does it tell us about African solidarity then, and now?

He was sent to help bring a missing 14-year-old girl home safely. Instead, he became the person who harmed her.

Sinmi Asomuyide, a 33-year-old Nigerian-American former police officer in Kokomo, Indiana, has been sentenced to 40 years in a US federal prison for sexually assaulting the teenager. He will also serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.

How it happened

On 30 June 2024, the girl's father called the emergency line to report her missing as a runaway. Asomuyide, then on patrol with the Kokomo Police Department, was one of the officers who found her at the home of another underage girl.

While driving her to a youth centre, he switched off his body camera, took her phone and used it to call his own private number. He told her he would contact her later to return an item he had found on her.

Later that evening, after his shift, he went to where she was staying, picked her up while still in uniform, drove her to an empty warehouse car park and sexually assaulted her, according to court documents and GPS data from his car.

The evidence that exposed him

Asomuyide denied everything. When state police questioned him about a week later, he claimed he had never given the girl his number and that she had contacted him on a work phone, even though Kokomo officers are not issued work phones.

Within hours of the assault, he had also searched online for how to delete the messaging account he used to contact her.

But the evidence caught up with him. Investigators examining his patrol car found a stain on the centre console that matched his DNA.

In June 2026, a federal jury found him guilty after a five-day trial of violating the girl's civil rights by sexually assaulting her while on duty, witness tampering by lying to investigators, and destroying records. The judge handed down the 40-year sentence this month.

An earlier warning sign

Even more disturbing, investigators found that this was not the first allegation against him.

Before joining the Kokomo police, Asomuyide worked with the Portsmouth Police Department in Virginia. He resigned there after an allegation that he had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl while off duty. When he applied to Kokomo, he gave a false account of why he had left.

Sworn to protect

The case has shocked many, especially Nigerians at home and abroad. A police officer is trusted to protect the most vulnerable, and a missing child should be safest in the hands of the officer sent to find her.

It also raises hard questions about how a man with a previous allegation involving a minor was able to get another job in law enforcement.

Over to you

How can someone sworn to protect children become their abuser, and what should police departments do to make sure it never happens again?

Popular social media personality GehGeh has declared strong support for Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying Obi stands apart because of the genuine love and confidence his supporters have in him.

"Genuine love and belief"

According to GehGeh, many Nigerians backing Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, do so because they believe he is qualified, capable and able to lead the country in a better direction.

He argued that things are different with some other candidates, whose supporters, in his view, are more interested in what they personally stand to gain if their candidate wins.

The Burkina Faso vow

GehGeh went further, saying that if Obi fails to win in 2027, he will give up on Nigeria completely and relocate to Burkina Faso.

His statement reflects his frustration with the country's political situation and his belief that Nigeria needs a different kind of leadership.

Different, or just more emotional?

His declaration also raises a fair question. Is support for Obi genuinely different from that for other politicians, or are Nigerians simply becoming more emotionally attached to their preferred candidates? Supporters of every major candidate would argue that their backing is sincere.

Over to you

Do you agree with GehGeh that Peter Obi enjoys more genuine public support than other presidential hopefuls?

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied claims that its chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, is planning to resign.

Reports dismissed

The commission dismissed the reports, which had been circulating ahead of the 2027 general elections, and maintained that the chairman is not stepping down.

Why it matters

Any change at the top of the electoral body this close to a general election would raise serious concerns about preparations for the polls. INEC has faced intense scrutiny in recent weeks, including controversy over AI-generated images in the voter register and growing tension around the "Rig and Die" slogan.

More details are expected as the story develops.

Over to you

Do you believe the INEC chairman will remain in office until the 2027 elections?

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) says it has started legal action against the operators of several online platforms, including NetNaija and MovieBox, over alleged copyright infringement.

What the commission said

Speaking on Thursday, 12 November 2026, at a copyright sensitisation programme at the University of Ibadan, Barrister Kunle Olatunji, deputy director of the commission's Regulatory and Compliance Department, said the action was part of efforts to protect authors, publishers, filmmakers and other creators whose work is used without permission. He said the Copyright Act 2022 had widened the commission's powers to tackle online piracy, allowing it to seek the closure of entire websites rather than just the removal of individual pirated items.

Why it matters

Olatunji said the law protects the rights of creative professionals whose works are exploited without their consent.

Background

The allegations against the platforms have not been tested in court, and their operators had not publicly responded at the time of writing.

Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing has shared a frightening experience she had while in the United Kingdom.

What happened

In a video posted on Instagram on Friday, 13 November 2026, the actress said she had slipped in her bathtub earlier that day while getting ready for a photoshoot. She said she lost her footing, tumbled out of the tub and landed on her back and bottom on the floor. She credited her physical strength for helping her recover quickly, saying the outcome could otherwise have been far worse.

Her message

In the caption, she thanked God for protecting her and asked her followers to help her give thanks.

How people reacted

Colleagues and fans flooded her comments with messages of relief and prayers. The actress has been in the news this week after publicly addressing speculation about her love life.

Residents of Area 1 in Abuja have reportedly been seen tearing down and destroying posters bearing the images of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

What the video shows

Footage from the scene shows a group of young men pulling down large posters mounted on wooden frames by the roadside, ripping them apart and carrying away the torn pieces as onlookers gather near market stalls.

Why the anger?

The incident has drawn attention, with many asking what could have triggered such an angry reaction.

The exact reason behind the destruction of the posters remains unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility. Even so, it has sparked discussion about public frustration and the relationship between political leaders and ordinary Nigerians as the 2027 elections approach.

Over to you

What do you think could have pushed these residents to take such action?

The Presidency has denied claims that President Bola Tinubu's convoy was attacked by stone-throwing youths after he attended Friday prayers in Abuja.

The claim

Dino Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), shared a video on Friday, 13 November 2026, which he said showed young men throwing stones at a convoy belonging to the President after prayers at the Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1. Voices in the video can be heard chanting a Hausa phrase meaning 'we don't want you'.

The Presidency's response

O'tega Ogra, the President's senior special assistant on digital engagement and new media, disputed the account on X, describing the videos as misleading and linking them to opposition figures. He released a separate video showing Tinubu leaving the mosque in white attire and a black cap, with supporters waving and taking photographs as he walked to his vehicle. It has not been independently established where or when Melaye's video was recorded.

Background

The dispute comes amid rising concern about political violence ahead of the 2027 elections. On the same day, the President issued a statement condemning violence at political gatherings, directing security agencies to act firmly against thuggery and insisting that every party must be free to campaign anywhere. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Street-pop singer Portable has stirred debate online after claiming he received ₦100 million following his involvement in campaigns for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

What he said

In a post shared on Friday, 13 November 2026, the singer, whose real name is Habeeb Okikiola, said he simply woke up and found ₦100 million had been paid to him. He did not say who sent the money or what it was for. Earlier reports had linked the payment to an APC governorship candidate in Ogun State, but this has not been confirmed.

How people reacted

Many social media users criticised the claim, contrasting it with the economic hardship facing ordinary Nigerians and questioning whether celebrity endorsements actually influence voters.

Background

Portable has openly supported President Bola Tinubu and the APC. The APC has not commented on his claim.

The South African presidency has criticised Nigeria's High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, over his public complaint that his speech was cut off during the ceremony where he presented his letters of credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Fani-Kayode's complaint

Fani-Kayode had raised concerns about the incident, suggesting that he was interrupted while addressing the gathering during the official diplomatic ceremony.

South Africa responds

The South African presidency has rejected his account. Responding to the controversy, President Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, accused Fani-Kayode of misrepresenting the situation and of wrongly dragging the South African President into a matter that did not require his involvement.

Magwenya also described the Nigerian diplomat's handling of the issue as inappropriate.

A routine ceremony turned row

The disagreement has drawn attention to what should have been a routine diplomatic ceremony between two African countries.

Diplomatic engagements are usually guided by established protocols, and disagreements over procedure are generally expected to be handled through official channels rather than in public.

For a newly appointed high commissioner, the public exchange has raised questions about diplomatic conduct, and about how misunderstandings between representatives of friendly nations should be resolved.

Over to you

Was Fani-Kayode right to complain publicly, or should he have handled the matter quietly through diplomatic channels?

Annie Idibia's birthday has drawn warm messages from her husband's family, and one tribute in particular has fans talking.

The post

Ujah Idibia, brother of music star 2Baba, shared photos of the singer and Annie side by side on Instagram with a heartfelt caption.

"Massive birthday blessings Queen @annieidibia1. May the universe be on ur side always. Just know u are loved dearly. More love n light for u. Have a wonderful Bday," he wrote, adding heart emojis.

2Baba's like

What caught many fans' attention was that the post was liked by 2Baba's official account. Earlier, the singer had also shared Annie's photo on his Instagram story with his song 'Celebrate'.

Background

2Baba, whose real name is Innocent Idibia, and actress Annie Idibia were one of Nigeria's most talked-about celebrity couples and have children together. Their separation became public in early 2025, and 2Baba has since been linked with Edo lawmaker Natasha Osawaru. The birthday gestures from him and his family suggest goodwill remains between the two.

The United States briefly halted all departing flights across the country on Friday, 13 November 2026, causing widespread disruption.

What happened

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a sudden nationwide ground stop at 3.54pm Eastern time, citing extraordinary circumstances and safety, and said all departing traffic should remain on the ground until further notice. It said inbound international flights would be handled case by case. At the time, more than 4,000 flights bound for US destinations were in the air, according to flight-tracking data.

The impact

Within hours, more than 2,000 flights had been cancelled and more than 10,000 delayed, according to flight-tracking figures, and lawmakers demanded an explanation.

The cause

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there was no indication so far of anything malicious, and that the problem appeared to be a telecommunications outage. He said President Donald Trump had been briefed.

Ground stop lifted

The FAA lifted the ground stop after about five hours, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy saying airspace reopened at 8.15pm Eastern time, although operations would resume gradually. He said the outage was caused by overloaded switches and routers that led to gaps in communications and radar, and officials admitted that new technology added to the air traffic control network had overwhelmed older parts of the system. Officials confirmed it was not a cyberattack. More than 1.5 million passengers were affected, in the longest nationwide ground stop in 25 years.

Iran has targeted a United States military facility in Bahrain, its first attempt to strike a US base in a Gulf state in more than two months.

What happened

US Central Command said American air defences intercepted and destroyed two Iranian attack drones launched towards Bahrain early on Friday, 13 November 2026, and reported no casualties or damage. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed through state-linked media that they had destroyed a US early-warning radar on the island, home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, in response to an alleged attack on a telecommunications tower in the southern Iranian town of Sirik. The US rejected that claim.

Escalation

The strike marks a sharp escalation after a pause since early September, during which Iran had focused on disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Hopes of a deal between Washington and Tehran appear to be fading, with President Donald Trump reportedly telling Vice-President JD Vance that the US does not need a deal.

Why it matters

The US also recently withdrew from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, citing a travel advisory linked to the risk of conflict in the region.

Former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido has declared that he will not back President Bola Tinubu's re-election and has named Professor Sandy Onor as his preferred presidential candidate.

His choice

Speaking in Dutse, Lamido reaffirmed his loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and named Onor outright as his candidate for the 16 January 2027 election, making a clear public break from the incumbent. Earlier this week, he denied a claim by Vice-President Kashim Shettima that he supported the APC.

Warning to the opposition

In a television interview on Friday, 13 November 2026, Lamido said the rivalry between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi was working in Tinubu's favour. He pointed to the large number of serving and former governors in the APC and the failure of the two main opposition figures to cooperate, arguing that a joint ticket, with Atiku as president and Obi as running mate, would have posed a much stronger challenge. He also warned that whoever wins, Nigeria would lose if campaigns ignore national issues.

Background

Atiku is the ADC candidate and Obi the NDC candidate. Efforts to agree a single opposition candidate have repeatedly failed, though PRP candidate Donald Duke and APM candidate Seyi Makinde have both said they are open to collaboration.

Canadian pop-punk star Avril Lavigne has announced the birth of her first child.

The announcement

In an Instagram post reported on Friday, 13 November 2026, the 42-year-old singer shared several black-and-white photos, including a close-up of her daughter's hand and a pair of chequered trainers on a skateboard, a nod to her 2002 hit 'Sk8er Boi'. She called the baby her little princess. She did not reveal the child's name or the father's identity.

Background

Lavigne was previously married to Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley, whom she divorced in 2010, and later to Nickelback singer Chad Kroeger; they announced their separation in 2015. Her engagement to musician Mod Sun ended in 2023.

Nigeria's Olympic Eagles suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the first leg of their second-round qualifier for the 2027 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

The match

In Lubumbashi on Friday, 13 November 2026, Nigeria started brightly, with midfielder Victor Samuel shooting narrowly wide early on and missing a one-on-one chance soon after. The hosts took the lead inside 20 minutes with a goal that Nigeria felt should have been ruled out for a challenge on goalkeeper Samuel James. Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna was then forced off injured on the half-hour, and DR Congo doubled their lead five minutes before half-time.

Who was in charge

The team was led by Ikorodu City coach Bright Osehai Ozebagbe and former U-20 assistant coach Deniran Ortega, while Eric Chelle was with the Super Eagles, who beat Tanzania 3-1 on the same day.

What happens next

Nigeria will need to overturn the two-goal deficit in the return leg at home to reach the tournament.

Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna, who was making his first start for the U-23 side, has been ruled out of the return leg with the injury he picked up in Lubumbashi.

Nigeria's Super Eagles beat Tanzania 3-1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 13 November 2026, in a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

How the match went

Alhassan Yusuf gave Nigeria a dream start with a goal in the second minute, but Tanzania equalised through Alphonce Masanga. Ademola Lookman was forced off injured late in the first half and replaced by Moses Simon. Coach Eric Chelle then brought on Tolu Arokodare and Moses Usor in the second half, and the change paid off immediately: Arokodare scored in the 52nd minute, and the two substitutes combined for Arokodare's second goal and Nigeria's third in the 60th minute.

Table

The win moved Nigeria to second in Group L, one point behind Guinea-Bissau, who were held 1-1 by Madagascar. Nigeria play Tanzania again in their next match, and a win there would take them to nine points, putting them in a strong position to qualify with two games left.

Arokodare delivers

Arokodare, who has been in strong form on loan at Ajax in the Netherlands, had promised to carry his club form into the national team in the absence of the injured Victor Osimhen. Chelle later sent him a message after his brace.

Lookman a doubt

After the match, Chelle said Ademola Lookman was a doubt for the return fixture against Tanzania. He said the Atletico Madrid forward had felt discomfort in his knee before a knock to the same area made it worse, and the coaching staff are not expected to rush him back. Tanzania are one of the co-hosts of AFCON 2027, along with Kenya and Uganda.

A scan later confirmed a knee ligament sprain, and the Super Eagles' medical team ruled Lookman out of the second leg in Zanzibar, where Nigeria will defend a two-goal advantage. Victor Osimhen is also missing the November games.

Prominent political figures from Plateau State have endorsed President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid for 2027.

The meeting

The endorsement was made by voice vote at a meeting in Jos organised by Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a pro-Tinubu group, according to a statement released on Friday, 13 November 2026. Those present included former governors, ministers, senators, members of the House of Representatives, commissioners and council chairmen, who also adopted other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the state.

What the leaders said

Former governor Simon Lalong, who chaired the meeting as deputy chairman of A4A's board of trustees, said those present believed the President was committed to Nigeria's development and that keeping him in office would speed up economic growth. Former governor Joshua Dariye credited the Tinubu administration with meaningful contributions to Plateau and the country.

Background

Plateau is a key battleground in the North Central. Peter Obi won the state in the 2023 presidential election. A Middle Belt youth group that backed Obi in 2023 also recently switched its support to Tinubu. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The United States has revoked more than 6,000 visas in a crackdown on so-called birth tourism.

What was announced

In a statement on X on Thursday, 12 November 2026, the State Department said its Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force had cancelled the visas of foreign nationals found to have taken part in or facilitated the practice. It said the crackdown targets not only people who travelled to give birth but also those who helped arrange such trips, and described the practice as illicit. The department did not release a breakdown of the nationalities affected.

What is birth tourism

Birth tourism refers to travelling to the United States specifically to give birth, so that the child acquires US citizenship under the birthright citizenship provision of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.

Why it matters to Nigerians

Giving birth in the US has been popular among some Nigerians who can afford it, and the US has previously warned that visitor visas may be refused to applicants suspected of travelling to give birth.

Borno State governor Babagana Zulum has pledged ₦50,000 to every soldier deployed to the frontline communities of Maiwa and Koshebe.

The announcement

Zulum made the pledge on Friday, 13 November 2026, during a visit to the headquarters of the Army's 24 Task Force Brigade in Dikwa Local Government Area, where he met the brigade commander. He also promised continuous logistics support for troops in the area, describing the package as a sign of the state's commitment to soldiers taking on dangerous assignments.

Background

The two communities have suffered badly in the Boko Haram insurgency. In November 2020, insurgents attacked rice farmers in Koshebe, in one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in the region. Atiku Abubakar this week cited data showing that the North-East accounted for most of the 638 insecurity-related deaths recorded in October.

US Vice-President JD Vance is reportedly reconsidering whether to run for president in 2028.

What is reported

According to reports on Friday, 13 November 2026, citing people close to him, Vance has not made a final decision about entering the race after the Republican Party's poor performance in the midterm elections earlier this month. Allies and donors are said to be questioning whether the party can hold on to the White House. People close to him say he remains committed to the political movement that returned Donald Trump to power, but is increasingly asking whether he should be the one to lead it.

A bigger question

One ally reportedly said Vance has been wrestling with whether any Republican can win the presidency in the current political climate. Another noted that at 42, he could afford to wait for a better opportunity.

Background

Vance had been widely seen as the leading contender for the 2028 Republican nomination. In the 3 November midterms, the Democrats were projected to win control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and Trump has since replaced his chief of staff. Vance has not publicly commented on the reports.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has drawn attention online after attending the university graduation of his former wife, Olori Naomi Silekunola.

What happened

Olori Naomi graduated from Elizade University in Ondo State, and a video from the convocation ceremony, shared by gospel singer Dare Justified on Friday, 13 November 2026, quickly went viral. It shows the former couple together with their son, chatting easily, with Naomi at one point leaning in to speak to the monarch over the noise of the venue. Photos also show them posing together.

How people reacted

Many social media users praised the pair for maintaining a cordial relationship for the sake of their son, describing the moment as a good example of co-parenting.

Background

Olori Naomi and the Ooni have a son together and later separated. Earlier this week drew attention for her entrance at a celebrity naming ceremony in Lagos.

Sweden has returned 39 Benin Bronzes and other artefacts to Nigeria, 129 years after they were looted from the Benin Kingdom.

The handover

Representatives of Sweden's National Museums of World Culture formally handed over the objects at a ceremony in Lagos on Thursday, 12 November 2026. They will be received by Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The collection includes cultural objects known as Emwin Arre. Six of the 39 artefacts will remain in Sweden under a 10-year loan arrangement.

Why it matters

The objects were among thousands taken by British forces who attacked and burned Benin City in 1897 before bringing the kingdom under British rule. Michael Barrett, curator for Africa at Sweden's National Museums of World Culture, described the return as an important step in addressing colonial-era looting of cultural property.

Background

Nigeria has been campaigning for decades for the return of the Benin Bronzes, which are held in museums and private collections around the world. The Netherlands returned 119 objects in 2025, and Germany handed over 20 Benin Bronzes in 2022. Many more remain abroad.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed former Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to lead its election observation mission to Nigeria.

The appointment

The appointment was announced in a statement from Akufo-Addo's office on Thursday, 12 November 2026. He will oversee the deployment of ECOWAS observers for Nigeria's presidential and National Assembly elections, scheduled for 16 January 2027. The mission will monitor the electoral process and report on how the polls are conducted.

Who is Akufo-Addo

Akufo-Addo served two terms as Ghana's president, from 2017 to January 2025.

Background

International attention on Nigeria's election is growing. The European Union has raised concerns about violence and hate speech, and a senior US State Department official told Congress this week that the vote could spur violence. INEC says preparations are on track, with non-sensitive materials already being moved to the states.

Dr. Mo has expressed admiration for former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, now the NDC presidential candidate, describing his travel schedule as one that is very hard to keep up with.

"Just visualise what I'm saying"

According to Dr. Mo, travelling with Obi means moving from one city to another, sometimes across continents, with little time to settle before the next journey.

"We move from Lagos to Abuja, then take off to London. From there, we spend eight hours flying to Houston, hold a meeting and move to Phoenix, then California. We return to Texas, go to Dallas, fly back to the UK and eventually return to Nigeria," he said.

"Just imagine it. Just visualise what I'm saying."

"One in a million"

Dr. Mo described Obi as "one in a million", expressing admiration for the amount of travelling and the number of engagements he handles.

For anyone who has done long-distance travel, moving through several cities, attending meetings and catching yet another flight can be exhausting. Doing it repeatedly, while running a national campaign, is another level entirely.

Over to you

How does Peter Obi manage such a demanding schedule, and where does he get the energy to keep moving?